In a historic and unprecedented move, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Prince Andrew, the son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has been stripped of his “prince” title and will be required to vacate his longtime home at Royal Lodge. The decision marks the most serious royal sanction in over a century — and the latest fallout from Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.
According to an official palace statement released Thursday, King Charles III has “initiated formal measures to withdraw the style, titles, and honours” previously held by his younger brother.
“Prince Andrew will henceforth be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,” the statement read. “Formal notice has been issued to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge, after which he will relocate to private accommodation on the Sandringham Estate.”
The palace added that while Andrew “continues to deny the allegations made against him,” these steps were “necessary to preserve the integrity of the Crown” and to reaffirm the monarchy’s sympathy toward victims of abuse.
A Royal Fall from Grace
The removal of Andrew’s royal privileges is sweeping. In addition to losing the title of Prince, he has been stripped of his honors as Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh, and his designation as “His Royal Highness.” He has also been dismissed from the Order of the Garter and the Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order, according to royal insiders cited by ABC News.
The decision follows Andrew’s earlier announcement that he would stop using the title Duke of York, admitting that “the continuing accusations against me distract from His Majesty’s work and the duties of the Royal Family.”
This is reportedly the first time in more than 100 years that a British royal has been formally stripped of all styles and titles by the Crown.
A Move Out of Windsor
The disgraced royal’s lease at Royal Lodge — a sprawling property located on the grounds of Windsor Castle — had provided him a measure of legal protection and privacy. That chapter is now closing. Under King Charles’s direction, Andrew will relocate to a smaller residence on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The change will also affect his family. His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who shared the Royal Lodge, will lose her Duchess of York title and make independent living arrangements. However, the titles of their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will remain unaffected.
Timing That Raises Questions
The move comes just days before the release of Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, Nobody’s Girl — a book expected to reignite global scrutiny of Andrew’s alleged involvement in Epstein’s trafficking network.
Giuffre, who died earlier this year, claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and forced into sexual encounters with Prince Andrew when she was a minor — allegations Andrew has consistently denied.
According to early reports, Giuffre’s memoir recounts in detail her interactions with Andrew, painting a haunting picture of manipulation and privilege.
The Palace Under Pressure
Buckingham Palace has remained tight-lipped beyond its official statement, but royal watchers say the move reflects a growing determination by King Charles to protect the monarchy’s reputation at any cost.
“This is Charles drawing a line in the sand,” said a royal historian. “It’s about the future of the institution — not the comfort of his brother.”
A Historic Moment for the Monarchy
The stripping of Andrew’s titles represents not only a personal downfall but also a symbolic turning point for the royal family — one that underscores the consequences of scandal in the modern era.
From a celebrated prince to a man known only as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the transformation is stark.
Once considered untouchable, the king’s brother now stands as a cautionary tale: even the crown cannot shield you from the weight of truth.
